Prior to the release of Season 1 of Big Mouth the TV show experienced negative press due to the subject matter it presented. Post-release the show experienced a bounce in ratings and secured a second season within four weeks of the release of the first one. It turned out that those complaining about the subject matter hadn’t taken time to actually watch Big mouth before commenting.

Season one launched in September 2017 and season two followed in September 2018. The show is a hit, and has provided recognition to its cast and creators that many didn’t expect. Guest stars appear on the show, seemingly lining up to provide their voices to some of the most diverse characters ever seen in a TV show.

Nick Croll as Nick Birch

Big Mouth – Nick

Nick Croll is well known to many comedy fans and Big Mouth a product of his mind, and his friend from childhood Andrew Goldberg. To me, he will always be Ruxin from the League and the man who would turn up in shows and movies playing one of my favourite types of characters, the sarcastic know-it-all.

However, this time around he plays the insecure Nick, making the role his own, as it was supposed to be. He also plays other roles, such as Steve the school coach, Rick the old hormone monster and, of course, Maurice the hormone monster we all want on our side.

JohnMulraney as Andrew Glouberman

Big Mouth – Andrew & Freddie

John plays the role of Nick’s best friend, Andrew. Andrew is more mature than Nick and his dysfunctional family, along with Maurice makes him experience extraordinary highs and monumental lows. Andrew is awkward and going through puberty at a rate exceeding that of Nick. In one episode he has his moustache waxed by his parents.

Jessi Klein as Jessi Glaser

Big Mouth – Jessi

Jessi is possibly the most intelligent of the group and her use of sarcasm can be biting if her hormone monster provokes her to attack. Jessi finds herself mixed up with Jay, more below, running away from home as her parents split up. D4lien from our podcast was horrified to hear Blues Traveler being used as a way to criticise her father, but anyway, he got over it.

Jason Mantzoukas as Jay Bilzerian

Big Mouth – Jay and Pam

Jay leads a troubled life, and who better to bring him to life than Jason Mantzoukas. Jason is a fantastic comedic actor with a dark character who appeals to many. His turns on Brooklyn Nine-Nine and, of course, The League are the stuff of legend!

Jay leads an incredibly sad life where his mom drinks to stay happy, and his siblings take every opportunity to bully him. Jay manages to impregnate a pillow he has his way with, which is as weird as it sounds.

At one point he and Jessi run away together. However, this awakens something in Jessi and she realises she should return home. Jay is a free spirit but shows his vulnerable side in ways that the others miss, but the audience are sure not to.

Jenny Slate as Missy Foreman-Greenwald

Big Mouth – Missy

Missy rounds up the main characters in our list. However, she is one of the best characters in the show by far. Intelligent, and wise, Missy observes her friends from a more mature, adult, point of view. A nerd, but not a nerd.

Missy traverses the Big Mouth universe moving between all camps, the true free spirit of the show, and always remain popular. A relationship with Andrew is season one I sent in an amicable and adult manner well beyond someone of her years.

Other stars and guests

Big Mouth – Protective Parents

Maya Rudolph and Fred Armisen play recurring parental unit roles for Nick. Overly protective, the two are clearly developed to as a satire on the perceived current babying of children today.

Jordan Peele

Big Mouth – Duke Ellington

Peele plays the recurring role of the ghost of Duke Ellington, dishing out advice to the boys. Some good, some bad. He also plays Patrick Ewing, Freddie Mercury and Jay’s pitbull! A legendary comedian and writer, he seems unable to put a foot wrong.

Kristen Bell Pam the Pillow

Big Mouth – Pam Look Oou

Yes, Jay knocked up a pillow, and that pillow was named Pam. Kristen Bell plays a Pillow named Pam!

The importance of pubic hair!

Craig Robinson and Jack McBrayer play Nick’s two pubic hairs. Spoilers… One of them is killed off in season two…